Social Contract Differences Of Thomas Hobbes And John Locke

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were both known as social contract theorists and natural law theorists. Both completely different in terms of their stand and conclusions in several laws of nature. They were two English philosophers that have made huge impact not only in the seventeenth century but also by helping to establish a strong government for the rights of the people. Hobbes born in 1588 and Locke later born in 1632, for Hobbes people did not have a right to rebel against the government. Locke’s ideas differed; he believed that if the government failed the people then people have the right to rebel against them. They both had the same vision in making a strong a government but each differed in their ideas…show more content…Locke’s view on human nature was that men are animals by social nature. Locke’s view on natural law was that humans know the difference between right and wrong and are able to resolve their problems. John Locke’s views differed from Hobbes, he believed that humans lived in a state of freedom and equality and not one of war. He believed that men had the right to have rights. He saw that the government’s position was to ensure justice and protection for its people. He believed that the government should not have unlimited power over the people. His belief was that men had the right to rebel against their government if the government failed its people. On social contract, Locke’s belief was that men had inalienable rights which are Life, Liberty and Property. John Locke is well known for his work where he incorporated his political thoughts which is known as the Two Treatises of…show more content…Both theorists had different educational backgrounds and lives growing up. Hobbes is well known for his writing Leviathan. On the other hand Locke is well known for his work called the Two Treatises of Government. On human nature both had different views, Locke believed that man is a social animal by nature. Hobbes belief was that man isn’t a social animal. On the state of nature, Locke believed man is true to his obligations and words. Hobbes believed that the life of a man would be poor and brutal in a society with continuous fear and danger. On social contract, Locke believed that man has the right to life and has the right to just and impartial protection. Hobbes simply believed that if man simply does what he is told, he is safe. Despite their differences both theorist helped establish a government with mutual obligations for the people. The obligation was that “government would protect the right of the people while the people would act reasonably toward government” (Spielvogel p. 467). These two theorists not only made a significant impact back then but it also has impacted our government by being a foundation to the Bill of

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